Turn Down the Music

An attorney drew a public censure from the New York Appellate Division for the First Judicial Department for the following incident:

Respondent’s criminal convictions stem from an altercation with another patron at a restaurant he had attended with his wife and child. At some point, respondent was disturbed by noise emanating from a portable DVD player in a nearby booth, occupied by the patron and her father. Respondent asked her to turn down the music and also complained to the manager. After respondent voiced his dissatisfaction with the patron’s adjustments and the manager’s suggestion that he relocate, the verbal altercation escalated, culminating with respondent punching the victim.

The court found that the conduct was an aberration. (Mike Frisch)